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Coppola G, Abagnale C, Sebastianelli G, Goadsby PJ. Pathophysiology of cluster headache: From the trigeminovascular system to the cerebral networks. Cephalalgia 2024; 44:3331024231209317. [PMID: 38415635 DOI: 10.1177/03331024231209317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in neuroimaging and electrophysiology, cluster headache's pathogenesis remains unclear. This review will examine clinical neurophysiology studies, including electrophysiological and functional neuroimaging, to determine if they might help us construct a neurophysiological model of cluster headache. RESULTS Clinical, biochemical, and electrophysiological research have implicated the trigeminal-parasympathetic system in cluster headache pain generation, although the order in which these two systems are activated, which may be somewhat independent, is unknown. Electrophysiology and neuroimaging have found one or more central factors that may cause seasonal and circadian attacks. The well-known posterior hypothalamus, with its primary circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus, the brainstem monoaminergic systems, the midbrain, with an emphasis on the dopaminergic system, especially when cluster headache is chronic, and the descending pain control systems appear to be involved. Functional connection investigations have verified electrophysiological evidence of functional changes in distant brain regions connecting to wide cerebral networks other than pain. CONCLUSION We propose that under the impact of external time, an inherited misalignment between the primary circadian pacemaker suprachiasmatic nucleus and other secondary extra- suprachiasmatic nucleus clocks may promote disturbance of the body's internal physiological clock, lowering the threshold for bout recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Coppola
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, Latina, Italy
| | - Chiara Abagnale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, Latina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sebastianelli
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino ICOT, Latina, Italy
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility, and Wolfson Sensory, Pain and Regeneration Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London UK
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Ferraro S, Nigri A, Bruzzone MG, Medina Carrion JP, Fedeli D, Demichelis G, Chiapparini L, Ciullo G, Gonzalez AA, Proietti Cecchini A, Giani L, Becker B, Leone M. Involvement of the ipsilateral-to-the-pain anterior-superior hypothalamic subunit in chronic cluster headache. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:7. [PMID: 38212704 PMCID: PMC10782620 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01711-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite hypothalamus has long being considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of cluster headache, the inconsistencies of previous neuroimaging studies and a limited understanding of the hypothalamic areas involved, impede a comprehensive interpretation of its involvement in this condition. METHODS We used an automated algorithm to extract hypothalamic subunit volumes from 105 cluster headache patients (57 chronic and 48 episodic) and 59 healthy individuals; after correcting the measures for the respective intracranial volumes, we performed the relevant comparisons employing logist regression models. Only for subunits that emerged as abnormal, we calculated their correlation with the years of illness and the number of headache attacks per day, and the effects of lithium treatment. As a post-hoc approach, using the 7 T resting-state fMRI dataset from the Human Connectome Project, we investigated whether the observed abnormal subunit, comprising the paraventricular nucleus and preoptic area, shows robust functional connectivity with the mesocorticolimbic system, which is known to be modulated by oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and that is is abnormal in chronic cluster headache patients. RESULTS Patients with chronic (but not episodic) cluster headache, compared to control participants, present an increased volume of the anterior-superior hypothalamic subunit ipsilateral to the pain, which, remarkably, also correlates significantly with the number of daily attacks. The post-hoc approach showed that this hypothalamic area presents robust functional connectivity with the mesocorticolimbic system under physiological conditions. No evidence of the effects of lithium treatment on this abnormal subunit was found. CONCLUSIONS We identified the ipsilateral-to-the-pain antero-superior subunit, where the paraventricular nucleus and preoptic area are located, as the key hypothalamic region of the pathophysiology of chronic cluster headache. The significant correlation between the volume of this area and the number of daily attacks crucially reinforces this interpretation. The well-known roles of the paraventricular nucleus in coordinating autonomic and neuroendocrine flow in stress adaptation and modulation of trigeminovascular mechanisms offer important insights into the understanding of the pathophysiology of cluster headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ferraro
- School of Life Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Nigri
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Bruzzone
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean Paul Medina Carrion
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Fedeli
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Demichelis
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Chiapparini
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
- Radiology Unit, Fodazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ciullo
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ariosky Areces Gonzalez
- Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Pinar del Río "Hermanos Saiz Montes de Oca", Pinar del Río, Cuba
| | | | - Luca Giani
- Department of Neurology, Fondazione Maugeri, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Benjamin Becker
- School of Life Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Center of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Massimo Leone
- Department of Neuroalgology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Madsen MK, Petersen AS, Stenbaek DS, Sørensen IM, Schiønning H, Fjeld T, Nykjaer CH, Larsen SMU, Grzywacz M, Mathiesen T, Klausen IL, Overgaard-Hansen O, Brendstrup-Brix K, Linnet K, Johansen SS, Fisher PM, Jensen RH, Knudsen GM. CCH attack frequency reduction after psilocybin correlates with hypothalamic functional connectivity. Headache 2024; 64:55-67. [PMID: 38238974 DOI: 10.1111/head.14656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility and prophylactic effect of psilocybin as well as its effects on hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) in patients with chronic cluster headache (CCH). BACKGROUND CCH is an excruciating and difficult-to-treat disorder with incompletely understood pathophysiology, although hypothalamic dysfunction has been implicated. Psilocybin may have beneficial prophylactic effects, but clinical evidence is limited. METHODS In this small open-label clinical trial, 10 patients with CCH were included and maintained headache diaries for 10 weeks. Patients received three doses of peroral psilocybin (0.14 mg/kg) on the first day of weeks five, six, and seven. The first 4 weeks served as baseline and the last 4 weeks as follow-up. Hypothalamic FC was determined using functional magnetic resonance imaging the day before the first psilocybin dose and 1 week after the last dose. RESULTS The treatment was well tolerated. Attack frequency was reduced by mean (standard deviation) 31% (31) from baseline to follow-up (pFWER = 0.008). One patient experienced 21 weeks of complete remission. Changes in hypothalamic-diencephalic FC correlated negatively with a percent change in attack frequency (pFWER = 0.03, R = -0.81), implicating this neural pathway in treatment response. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that psilocybin may have prophylactic potential and implicates the hypothalamus in possible treatment response. Further clinical studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin K Madsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anja Sofie Petersen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dea S Stenbaek
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inger Marie Sørensen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Harald Schiønning
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Fjeld
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte H Nykjaer
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara Marie Ulv Larsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Grzywacz
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Mathiesen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida L Klausen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oliver Overgaard-Hansen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Kristian Linnet
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sys S Johansen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrick M Fisher
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rigmor H Jensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte M Knudsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Li C, Li Y, Zhang W, Ma Z, Xiao S, Xie W, Miao S, Li B, Lu G, Liu Y, Bai W, Yu S. Dopaminergic Projections from the Hypothalamic A11 Nucleus to the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus Are Involved in Bidirectional Migraine Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16876. [PMID: 38069205 PMCID: PMC10706593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical imaging studies have revealed that the hypothalamus is activated in migraine patients prior to the onset of and during headache and have also shown that the hypothalamus has increased functional connectivity with the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The dopaminergic system of the hypothalamus plays an important role, and the dopamine-rich A11 nucleus may play an important role in migraine pathogenesis. We used intraperitoneal injections of glyceryl trinitrate to establish a model of acute migraine attack and chronicity in mice, which was verified by photophobia experiments and von Frey experiments. We explored the A11 nucleus and its downstream pathway using immunohistochemical staining and neuronal tracing techniques. During acute migraine attack and chronification, c-fos expression in GABAergic neurons in the A11 nucleus was significantly increased, and inhibition of DA neurons was achieved by binding to GABA A-type receptors on the surface of dopaminergic neurons in the A11 nucleus. However, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamic acid decarboxylase proteins in the A11 nucleus of the hypothalamus did not change significantly. Specific destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the A11 nucleus of mice resulted in severe nociceptive sensitization and photophobic behavior. The expression levels of the D1 dopamine receptor and D2 dopamine receptor in the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus candalis of the chronic migraine model were increased. Skin nociceptive sensitization of mice was slowed by activation of the D2 dopamine receptor in SP5C, and activation of the D1 dopamine receptor reversed this behavioral change. GABAergic neurons in the A11 nucleus were activated and exerted postsynaptic inhibitory effects, which led to a decrease in the amount of DA secreted by the A11 nucleus in the spinal trigeminal nucleus candalis. The reduced DA bound preferentially to the D2 dopamine receptor, thus exerting a defensive effect against headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhenjie Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Shaobo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Shuai Miao
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Bozhi Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Guangshuang Lu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yingyuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wenhao Bai
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
| | - Shengyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; (C.L.); (Y.L.); (W.Z.); (Z.M.); (S.X.); (W.X.); (S.M.); (B.L.); (G.L.); (Y.L.); (W.B.)
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Ferraro S, Medina JP, Nigri A, Giani L, Demichelis G, Pinardi C, Bruzzone MG, Cecchini Proietti A, Becker B, Chiapparini L, Leone M. Mesocorticolimbic system abnormalities in chronic cluster headache patients: A neural signature? Cephalalgia 2022; 42:1039-1049. [PMID: 35615806 DOI: 10.1177/03331024221092416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Converging evidence suggests that anatomical and functional mesocorticolimbic abnormalities support the chronicization of pain disorders. METHODS We mapped structural and functional alterations of the mesocorticolimbic system in a sample of chronic cluster headache patients (n = 28) in comparison to age and sex-matched healthy individuals (n = 28) employing structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI. RESULTS Univariate logistic regression models showed that several of the examined structures/areas (i.e., the bilateral nucleus accumbens, ventral diencephalon, hippocampus, and frontal pole, and the right amygdala) differentiated chronic cluster headache patients from healthy individuals (p < 0.05, uncorrected). Specifically, all the significant structures/areas had increased volumes in chronic cluster headache patients compared to healthy individuals. The examination of the groups suffering from left and right-sided cranial attacks showed a lateralization effect: ipsilateral to the pain ventral diencephalic regions and contralateral to the pain nucleus accumbens discriminated chronic cluster headache patients from healthy individuals. The resting-state functional MRI data analyses showed that chronic cluster headache patients compared to CTRL individuals present robust reduced functional connectivity in the right frontal pole-right amygdala pathway (p < 0.05, FDR-corrected). CONCLUSION Our results showed that chronic cluster headache patients present anatomical and functional maladaptation of the mesocorticolimbic system, with functional data indicating a possible prefrontal areas' failure to modulate the mesolimbic structures. These results were opposite to what we hypothesized based on the previous literature on chronic pain conditions.Future studies should assess whether the observed mesocorticolimbic abnormalities are due to the neuroprotective effects of the assumed medications, or to the frequent comorbidity of CH with neuropsychiatric disorders or if they are a genuine neural signature of CH and/or chronic cluster headache condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ferraro
- School of Life Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jean Paul Medina
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Nigri
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Giani
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Demichelis
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pinardi
- Medical Physics Unit, ASST Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Bruzzone
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Cecchini Proietti
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Benjamin Becker
- School of Life Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Luisa Chiapparini
- Department of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Leone
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
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Shen Y, Wang J, Peng J, Wu X, Chen X, Liu J, Wei M, Zou D, Han Y, Wang A, Cheng O. Abnormal connectivity model of raphe nuclei with sensory-associated cortex in Parkinson's disease with chronic pain. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:3175-3185. [PMID: 35000015 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05864-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE There are indicates that raphe nuclei may be involved in the occurrence of chronic pain in Parkinson's disease (PD). In the study, we investigated the functional connectivity pattern of raphe nuclei in Parkinson's disease with chronic pain (PDP) to uncover its possible pathophysiology. METHODS Fifteen PDP, who suffered from pain, lasted longer than 3 months, sixteen Parkinson's disease patients with no pain (nPDP) and eighteen matched normal health controls (NCs) were recruited. All subjects completed the King's Parkinson's Pain Scale (KPPS) besides Parkinson-related scale and demographics. We performed a seed-based resting-state analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore whole-brain functional connectivity of the raphe nuclei. Multiple regression model was used to explore the related factors of pain including disease duration, disease severity, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, age, sex, levodopa equivalent dose and the strength of network functional connectivity. RESULTS Compared with the nPDP, the PDP group showed stronger functional connectivity between raphe nuclei and pain-related brain regions, including parietal lobe, insular lobe, cingulum cortex and prefrontal cortex, and the functional connectivity values of those areas were significantly positively correlated with KPPS independent of the clinical variables. Compared with NCs, the combined PD groups showed decreased functional connectivity including prefrontal cortex and cingulum cortex. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal functional connectivity model of raphe nuclei may be partly involved in pathophysiological mechanism of pain in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalian Shen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Department of Neurology, Yubei District People's Hospital, Chongqing, 401120, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Juan Peng
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaocui Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jinjin Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Min Wei
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Dezhi Zou
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Anran Wang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Oumei Cheng
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Silvestro M, Tessitore A, Orologio I, Battista G, Siciliano M, Tedeschi G, Russo A. Cluster headache pathophysiology: What we have learned from advanced neuroimaging. Headache 2022; 62:436-452. [PMID: 35315064 PMCID: PMC9314615 DOI: 10.1111/head.14279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Although remarkable progress has been achieved in understanding cluster headache (CH) pathophysiology, there are still several gaps about the mechanisms through which independent subcortical and cortical brain structures interact with each other. These gaps could be partially elucidated by structural and functional advanced neuroimaging investigations. Objective Although we are aware that substantial achievements have come from preclinical, neurophysiological, and biochemical experiments, the present narrative review aims to summarize the most significant findings from structural, microstructural, and functional neuroimaging investigations, as well as the consequent progresses in understanding CH pathophysiological mechanisms, to achieve a comprehensive and unifying model. Results Advanced neuroimaging techniques have contributed to overcoming the peripheral hypothesis that CH is of cavernous sinus pathology, in transitioning from the pure vascular hypothesis to a more comprehensive trigeminovascular model, and, above all, in clarifying the role of the hypothalamus and its connections in the genesis of CH. Conclusion Altogether, neuroimaging findings strongly suggest that, beyond the theoretical model of the “pain matrix,” the model of the “neurolimbic pain network” that is accepted in migraine research could also be extended to CH. Indeed, although the hypothalamus’ role is undeniable, the genesis of CH attacks is complex and seems to not be just the result of a single “generator.” Cortical‐hypothalamic‐brainstem functional interconnections that can switch between out‐of‐bout and in‐bout periods, igniting the trigeminovascular system (probably by means of top‐down mechanisms) and the consensual trigeminal autonomic reflexes, may represent the “neuronal background” of CH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Silvestro
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tessitore
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Orologio
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Battista
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mattia Siciliano
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Tedeschi
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Headache Centre, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Wei DY, O'Daly O, Zelaya FO, Goadsby PJ. Areas of cerebral blood flow changes on arterial spin labelling with the use of symmetric template during nitroglycerin triggered cluster headache attacks. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 33:102920. [PMID: 34972033 PMCID: PMC8724947 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cluster headache is a severe unilateral primary headache disorder; however, the brain is asymmetric, therefore using a symmetric template before flipping in the x-axis allows for ipsilateral analysis of attacks without loss of coherence across the group. Increases in cerebral blood flow beyond pain anticipation, processing and modulation areas, including hypothalamic regions and ipsilateral pons, have a crucial pathophysiological role in cluster headache attacks. The pain experienced during cluster headache attacks is so severe that it “switches off” areas involved in the default brain network.
Background Cluster headache is a rare, strictly unilateral, severe episodic primary headache disorder. Due to the unpredictable and episodic nature of the attacks, nitroglycerin has been used to trigger attacks for research purposes to further our understanding of cluster headache pathophysiology. Objectives We aimed to identify regions of significant cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes during nitroglycerin triggered cluster headache attacks, using MRI with arterial spin labelling (ASL). Methods Thirty-three subjects aged 18–60 years with episodic and chronic cluster headache were recruited and attended an open clinical screening visit without scanning to receive an intravenous nitroglycerin infusion (0.5 μg/kg/min over 20 min). Those for whom nitroglycerin successfully triggered a cluster headache attack, were invited to attend two subsequent scanning visits. They received either single-blinded intravenous nitroglycerin (0.5 μg/kg/min) or an equivalent volume of single-blinded intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride over a 20-minute infusion. Whole-brain CBF maps were acquired using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner pre-infusion and post-infusion. As cluster headache is a rare condition and purely unilateral disorder, an analysis strategy to ensure all the image data corresponded to symptomatology in the same hemisphere, without losing coherence across the group, was adopted. This consisted of spatially normalising all CBF maps to a standard symmetric reference template before flipping the images about the anterior-posterior axis for those CBF maps of subjects who experienced their headache in the right hemisphere. This procedure has been employed in previous studies and generated a group data set with expected features on the left hemisphere only. Results Twenty-two subjects successfully responded to the nitroglycerin infusion and experienced triggered cluster headache attacks. A total of 20 subjects completed the placebo scanning visit, 20 completed the nitroglycerin scanning visit, and 18 subjects had completed both the nitroglycerin and placebo scanning visits. In a whole-brain analysis, we identified regions of significantly elevated CBF in the medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus and cingulate gyrus, ipsilateral to attack side, in CBF maps acquired during cluster headache attack; compared with data from the placebo session. We also identified significantly reduced CBF in the precuneus, cuneus, superior parietal lobe and occipital lobe contralateral to the attack side. Of particular interest to this field of investigation, both the hypothalamus and ipsilateral ventral pons showed higher CBF in a separate region of interest analysis. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that severe cluster headache leads to significant increases in regional cerebral perfusion, likely to reflect changes in neuronal activity in several regions of the brain, including the hypothalamus and the ventral pons. These data contribute to our understanding of cluster headache pathophysiology; and suggest that non-invasive ASL technology may be valuable in future mechanistic studies of this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Y Wei
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, UK; NIHR Wellcome Trust King's Clinical Research Facility, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Owen O'Daly
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Fernando O Zelaya
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, UK; NIHR Wellcome Trust King's Clinical Research Facility, King's College Hospital, London, UK; Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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9
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Wu C, Ferreira F, Fox M, Harel N, Hattangadi-Gluth J, Horn A, Jbabdi S, Kahan J, Oswal A, Sheth SA, Tie Y, Vakharia V, Zrinzo L, Akram H. Clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging based functional and structural connectivity. Neuroimage 2021; 244:118649. [PMID: 34648960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in computational neuroimaging techniques have expanded the armamentarium of imaging tools available for clinical applications in clinical neuroscience. Non-invasive, in vivo brain MRI structural and functional network mapping has been used to identify therapeutic targets, define eloquent brain regions to preserve, and gain insight into pathological processes and treatments as well as prognostic biomarkers. These tools have the real potential to inform patient-specific treatment strategies. Nevertheless, a realistic appraisal of clinical utility is needed that balances the growing excitement and interest in the field with important limitations associated with these techniques. Quality of the raw data, minutiae of the processing methodology, and the statistical models applied can all impact on the results and their interpretation. A lack of standardization in data acquisition and processing has also resulted in issues with reproducibility. This limitation has had a direct impact on the reliability of these tools and ultimately, confidence in their clinical use. Advances in MRI technology and computational power as well as automation and standardization of processing methods, including machine learning approaches, may help address some of these issues and make these tools more reliable in clinical use. In this review, we will highlight the current clinical uses of MRI connectomics in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders; balancing emerging applications and technologies with limitations of connectivity analytic approaches to present an encompassing and appropriate perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyuan Wu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, 909 Walnut Street, Third Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; Jefferson Integrated Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, 909 Walnut Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Francisca Ferreira
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Michael Fox
- Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Noam Harel
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 Sixth Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Jona Hattangadi-Gluth
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, Center for Precision Radiation Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Andreas Horn
- Neurology Department, Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation Section, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, D-10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Saad Jbabdi
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Joshua Kahan
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Ashwini Oswal
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Mansfield Rd, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK.
| | - Sameer A Sheth
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 7200 Cambridge, Ninth Floor, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Yanmei Tie
- Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Vejay Vakharia
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Ludvic Zrinzo
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Harith Akram
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Unit of Functional Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
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Abstract
Cluster headache is a primary headache form occurring in paroxysmal excruciatingly severe unilateral head pain attacks usually grouped in periods lasting 1-2months, the cluster periods. A genetic component is suggested by the familial occurrence of the disease but a genetic linkage is yet to be identified. Contemporary activation of trigeminal and cranial parasympathetic systems-the so-called trigemino-parasympathetic reflex-during the headache attacks seem to cause the pain and accompanying oculo-facial autonomic phenomena respectively. At peripheral level, the increased calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) plasma levels suggests trigeminal system activation during cluster headache attacks. The temporal pattern of the disease both in terms of circadian rhythmicity and seasonal recurrence has suggested involvement of the hypothalamic biological clock in the pathophysiology of cluster headache. The posterior hypothalamus was investigate as the cluster generator leading to activation of the trigemino-parasympathetic reflex, but the accumulated experience after 20 years of hypothalamic electrical stimulation to treat the condition indicate that this brain region rather acts as pain modulator. Efficacy of monoclonal antibodies to treat episodic cluster headache points to a key role of CGRP in the pathophysiology of the condition.
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11
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Abstract
Communication pathways of the hypothalamus with other brain regions and the periphery are critical to successfully control key physiological and psychological processes. With advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, it is possible to target hypothalamic function and infer discrete hypothalamus networks. Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is a promising tool to study the functional organization of the brain and may act as a marker of individual differences and dysfunctions. Based on recent fMRI findings, the hypothalamus is mostly connected to parts of the striatum, midbrain, thalamus, insula, frontal, cingulate, and temporal cortices and the cerebellum. There is a strong interplay of the hypothalamus with these regions in response to different metabolic, hormonal, and nutritional states. In a state of hunger, hypothalamus RSFC increases with a strong shift to reward-related brain regions, especially in person with excessive weight. Nutrient signals and hormones, as insulin, act on these same connections conveying reward and internal signals to regulate homeostatic control. Moreover, dysfunctional hypothalamus communication has been documented in persons with neurological and psychiatric diseases. The results implicate that patients with depression, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases show mostly a reduction in hypothalamus RSFC, whereas patients with migraine and headache display predominantly increased hypothalamus RSFC. The extent of these changes and regions affected depend on the disorder and symptom severity. Whether hypothalamus RSFC can serve as a marker for disease states or is a prodromal neurobiological feature still needs to be investigated.
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12
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Chronic Cluster Headache Update and East-West Comparisons: Focusing on Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Management. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2020; 24:68. [PMID: 32990832 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-020-00902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides an update on chronic cluster headache (CH) focusing on clinical features, pathophysiology, and management as well as comparisons between Eastern and Western populations. RECENT FINDINGS Chronic CH in Eastern populations was relatively rare, compared to that in Western populations. Lacrimation and/or conjunctival injection is the most frequently reported cranial autonomic symptom, and visual aura is predominant in chronic CH patients. Neuroimaging evidence in both ethnic groups suggests that CH pathophysiology involves the hypothalamus and pain-modulatory areas, with dynamic alternations between CH episodes. Recent evidence indicates that midbrain dopaminergic systems may participate in CH chronicity. Noteworthy advances have emerged in neuromodulatory therapies for chronic CH, but treatment with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies has been unsuccessful. Recent evidence shows divergence of chronic CH between Eastern and Western populations. Neuromodulatory therapies but not CGRP inhibition is effective in this intractable patient group.
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Giani L, Proietti Cecchini A, Leone M. Galcanezumab for the prevention of cluster headache. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1133-1142. [PMID: 32702245 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1800635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cluster headache (CH) is among the worst painful conditions. The available therapies are scarce and not specific, leaving many patients unsatisfied because of poor efficacy and/or tolerability. Patients not responding to common treatments are offered semi-invasive and invasive procedures with uncertain results. Based on the current understanding of CH pathophysiology, new possible therapeutic approaches come from drugs interfering with Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP). AREAS COVERED After summarizing the evidence for CGRP involvement in CH pathophysiology, we review the published literature (PubMed) and information (clinicaltrials.gov, EudraCT, EMA and FDA websites) regarding a novel anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody, Galcanezumab, its pharmacological properties, development, and evidence for the treatment of CH. Publications regarding other indications (migraine) are considered for completeness and safety/tolerability profile. EXPERT OPINION In one randomized clinical trial, Galcanezumab has proven to be effective and safe as a preventive treatment in episodic CH, with a favorable tolerability profile offering a potential new option in the therapeutic arsenal. Inefficacy of galcanezumab in chronic CH as well as the inefficacy of another monoclonal antibody against CGRP (fremanezumab) in both episodic and chronic CH question the scalability of the drug in CH management. Further, studies comparing galcanezumab to the current standard treatments are highly desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giani
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta" , 20133, Milano (MI), Italy
| | | | - Massimo Leone
- Neuroalgology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta" , 20133, Milano (MI), Italy
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14
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Ferraro S, Nigri A, Demichelis G, Pinardi C, Chiapparini L, Giani L, Proietti Cecchini A, Leone M. Understanding Cluster Headache Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurol 2020; 11:535. [PMID: 32695062 PMCID: PMC7338680 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cluster headache is an excruciating pain syndrome characterized by unilateral head pain attacks, lasting between 15 and 180 min, accompanied by marked ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms, such as lacrimation and conjunctival injection. Despite important insights provided by neuroimaging studies and deep brain stimulation findings, the pathophysiology of cluster headache and its pathways of chronicization are still elusive. In this mini-review, we will provide an overview of the functional and structural neuroimaging studies in episodic and chronic cluster headache conditions conducted to clarify the underlying pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ferraro
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Nigri
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Demichelis
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pinardi
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Chiapparini
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Giani
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Leone
- Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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15
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Abstract
Cluster headache is characterised by attacks of excruciating unilateral headache or facial pain lasting 15 min to 3 h and is seen as one of the most intense forms of pain. Cluster headache attacks are accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms such as ptosis, miosis, redness or flushing of the face, nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, peri-orbital swelling and/or restlessness or agitation. Cluster headache treatment entails fast-acting abortive treatment, transitional treatment and preventive treatment. The primary goal of prophylactic and transitional treatment is to achieve attack freedom, although this is not always possible. Subcutaneous sumatriptan and high-flow oxygen are the most proven abortive treatments for cluster headache attacks, but other treatment options such as intranasal triptans may be effective. Verapamil and lithium are the preventive drugs of first choice and the most widely used in first-line preventive treatment. Given its possible cardiac side effects, electrocardiogram (ECG) is recommended before treating with verapamil. Liver and kidney functioning should be evaluated before and during treatment with lithium. If verapamil and lithium are ineffective, contraindicated or discontinued because of side effects, the second choice is topiramate. If all these drugs fail, other options with lower levels of evidence are available (e.g. melatonin, clomiphene, dihydroergotamine, pizotifen). However, since the evidence level is low, we also recommend considering one of several neuromodulatory options in patients with refractory chronic cluster headache. A new addition to the preventive treatment options in episodic cluster headache is galcanezumab, although the long-term effects remain unknown. Since effective preventive treatment can take several weeks to titrate, transitional treatment can be of great importance in the treatment of cluster headache. At present, greater occipital nerve injection is the most proven transitional treatment. Other options are high-dose prednisone or frovatriptan.
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16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical picture, but also neuroimaging findings, suggested the brainstem and midbrain structures as possible driving or generating structures in migraine. FINDINGS This has been intensely discussed in the last decades and the advent of modern imaging studies refined the involvement of rostral parts of the pons in acute migraine attacks, but more importantly suggested a predominant role of the hypothalamus and alterations in hypothalamic functional connectivity shortly before the beginning of migraine headaches. This was shown in the NO-triggered and also in the preictal stage of native human migraine attacks. Another headache type that is clinically even more suggestive of hypothalamic involvement is cluster headache, and indeed a structure in close proximity to the hypothalamus has been identified to play a crucial role in attack generation. CONCLUSION It is very likely that spontaneous oscillations of complex networks involving the hypothalamus, brainstem, and dopaminergic networks lead to changes in susceptibility thresholds that ultimately start but also terminate headache attacks. We will review clinical and neuroscience evidence that puts the hypothalamus in the center of scientific attention when attack generation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne May
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rami Burstein
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center, Department of Anesthesia, Harvard medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Ferraro S, Nigri A, Bruzzone MG, Demichelis G, Pinardi C, Brivio L, Giani L, Proietti A, Leone M, Chiapparini L. Cluster headache: insights from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:45-47. [PMID: 30941629 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03874-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The comprehension of cluster headache (CH) has greatly benefited from the tremendous progress of the neuroimaging techniques over the last 20 years. Since the pioneering study of May et al. (1998), the neuroimaging results have indeed revolutionized the conception of this disease, now considered as a dysfunction of the central nervous system. Clinical, neuroendocrinological, and neuroimaging studies strongly suggested the involvement of the hypothalamus as the generator of cluster headache attacks. However, the latency of the improvement and the inefficacy of the hypothalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the acute phase suggested that the hypothalamus might play a modulating role, pointing to the presence of some dysfunctional brain networks, normalized or modulated by the DBS. Despite the great importance of possible dysfunctional hypothalamic networks in cluster headache pathophysiology, only quite recently the scientific community has begun to explore the functional connectivity of these circuits using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. This is a neuroimaging technique extensively employed to investigate the functional connectivity among separated regions of the brain at rest in the low-frequency domain (< 0.1 Hz). Here, we present a review of the few resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating the hypothalamic network contributing to a deeper comprehension of this neurological disorder. These studies seem to demonstrate that both the hypothalamus and the diencephalic-mesencephalic junction regions might play an important role in the pathophysiology of CH. However, future studies are needed to confirm the results and to clarify if the observed dysfunctional networks are a specific neural fingerprint of the CH pathophysiology or an effect of the severe acute pain. It will be also crucial to clarify the neural pathways of the chronicization of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ferraro
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Nigri
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Grazia Bruzzone
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Demichelis
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Pinardi
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Brivio
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Giani
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Proietti
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Leone
- Department of Neurology and Headache Centre, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Chiapparini
- Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico 'Carlo Besta', 20133, Milan, Italy
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18
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Chen Z, Chen X, Liu M, Ma L, Yu S. Volume of Hypothalamus as a Diagnostic Biomarker of Chronic Migraine. Front Neurol 2019; 10:606. [PMID: 31244765 PMCID: PMC6563769 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
It is believed than hypothalamus (HTH) might be involved in generation of migraine, and evidence from high resolution fMRI reported that the more anterior part of HTH seemed to play an important role in migraine chronification. The current study was aimed to identify the alteration of morphology and resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of the hypothalamus (HTH) in interictal episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM). High-resolution structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were acquired in 18 EM patients, 16 CM patients, and 21 normal controls (NC). The volume of HTH was calculated and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was performed over the whole HTH. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HTH volume. Correlation analyses with clinical variables were performed and FC maps were generated for positive HTH regions according to VBM comparison. The volume of the HTH significantly decreased in both EM and CM patients compared with NC. The cut-off volume of HTH as 1.429 ml had a good diagnostic accuracy for CM with sensitivity of 81.25% and specificity of 100%. VBM analyses identified volume reduction of posterior HTH in EM vs. NC which was negatively correlated with headache frequency. The posterior HTH presented decreased FC with the left inferior temporal gyrus (Brodmann area 20) in EM. Decreased volume of anterior HTH was identified in CM vs. NC and CM vs. EM which was positively correlated with headache frequency in CM. The anterior HTH presented increased FC with the right anterior orbital gyrus (AOrG) (Brodmann area 11) in CM compared with NC and increased FC with the right medial orbital gyrus (MOrG) (Brodmann area 11) in CM compared with EM. Our study provided evidence of structural plasticity and FC changes of HTH in the pathogensis of migraine generation and chronification, supporting potential therapeutic target toward the HTH and its peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiye Chen
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mengqi Liu
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shengyuan Yu
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Buture A, Boland JW, Dikomitis L, Ahmed F. Update on the pathophysiology of cluster headache: imaging and neuropeptide studies. J Pain Res 2019; 12:269-281. [PMID: 30655693 PMCID: PMC6324919 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s175312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cluster headache (CH) is the most severe primary headache condition. Its pathophysiology is multifaceted and incompletely understood. This review brings together the latest neuroimaging and neuropeptide evidence on the pathophysiology of CH. METHODS A review of the literature was conducted by searching PubMed and Web of Science. The search was conducted using the following keywords: imaging studies, voxel-based morphometry, diffusion-tensor imaging, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, tractography, connectivity, cerebral networks, neuromodulation, central modulation, deep brain stimulation, orexin-A, orexin-B, tract-based spatial statistics, single-photon emission computer tomography studies, positron-emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, trigeminovascular system, neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neurokinin A, substance P, nitric oxide synthase, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and ATP. "Cluster headache" was combined with each keyword for more relevant results. All irrelevant and duplicated records were excluded. Search dates were from October 1976 to May 2018. RESULTS Neuroimaging studies support the role of the hypothalamus in CH, as well as other brain areas involved in the pain matrix. Activation of the trigeminovascular system and the release of neuropeptides play an important role in CH pathophysiology. Among neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide have been reported to be reliable biomarkers for CH attacks, though not specific for CH. Several other neuropeptides are involved in trigeminovascular activation, but the current evidence does not qualify them as reliable biomarkers in CH. CONCLUSION CH has a complex pathophysiology and the pain mechanism is not completely understood. Recent neuroimaging studies have provided insight into the functional and structural network bases of CH pathophysiology. Although there has been important progress in neuropeptide studies, a specific biomarker for CH is yet to be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Buture
- Department of Neurology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK,
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK,
| | | | - Lisa Dikomitis
- School of Medicine and Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Fayyaz Ahmed
- Department of Neurology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK,
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK,
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20
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Vyas DB, Ho AL, Dadey DY, Pendharkar AV, Sussman ES, Cowan R, Halpern CH. Deep Brain Stimulation for Chronic Cluster Headache: A Review. Neuromodulation 2018; 22:388-397. [DOI: 10.1111/ner.12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daivik B. Vyas
- Department of Neurosurgery Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Allen L. Ho
- Department of Neurosurgery Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - David Y. Dadey
- Department of Neurosurgery Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | | | - Eric S. Sussman
- Department of Neurosurgery Stanford University Stanford CA USA
| | - Robert Cowan
- Department of Neurology Stanford University Stanford CA USA
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